Melbourne Arts Precinct , Victoria, Australia — Oceania

A Tribute to our War Horses

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 23, 2026

1. A Tribute to our War Horses Marker

Inscription.
A Tribute to our War Horses

(Plaque 1) Purple Cross service of Victoria

(Plaque 2) "He gains no crosses as a soldier may,
no medals for the risks he runs,
he only, in his puzzled, patient way, 'sticks to his guns'."

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, World I.

Location. 37° 49.773′ S, 144° 58.444′ E. Memorial is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in Melbourne Arts Precinct. It is on Birdwood Avenue 0.3 kilometers south of Anzac Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 100 Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edward George Honey (within shouting distance of this marker); Gate Lodge (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct

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line); Observatory Gate (about 90 meters away); Maltese War Memorial (about 90 meters away); Photoheliograph House 8" South Equatorial House (about 90 meters away); Observatory Building (about 120 meters away); Astrograph House (about 120 meters away); Magnet House (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . War Horses Memorial. Monument Australia

The tribute to the War Horses was originally unveiled in 1926 on St Kilda Road but was moved in 1987 to its present position near the Shrine of Remembrance. The granite horse trough was erected by the Purple Cross Society, an organisation of women animal lovers who concerned themselves with the welfare of horses during World War One, using funds raised by Boer War Light Horsemen.

958000 horses and mules were killed in World War One. 169000 left Australia and never returned either killed in action or in died in quarantine.

One of the most famous was a horse called `David` which served in the 107 Battery Regiment 1899-1902 during the Boer War, and then as a gun wheel in France. He was awarded many Army medals and honours including
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 23, 2026

2. A Tribute to our War Horses Marker near Birdwood Avenue
the Queen`s Medal, the King`s Medal and Star with bar.

Unveiled by Sir John Monash during animal week and under the auspices of the Society for the Protection of Animals. Every year wreaths are laid around the memorial by organisations.

(Submitted on September 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.